- Apple imposed a 30% tax in 2022 that affected Web3 apps on its platform.
- Web3 giant Sky Mavis has found a workaround that allows it to launch its game on the Apple App Store without paying a 30% cut.
- Following the launch of Axie Infinity on the App Store, the game’s native token surged in value.
Apple’s imposition of a 30% tax on all in-app purchases, including NFT sales, has been a source of significant controversy and frustration among crypto users. The company’s policy has not only discouraged Web3 projects from launching their apps on the App Store. Still, it has also elicited strong criticism from notable figures within the Web3 community, especially Polygon Studios’ CEO, Ryan Wyatt, who has described the tax as “criminal.”
The strict stance taken by Apple has, unfortunately, hindered NFT adoption among its users. However, there could be a glimmer of hope as one of the top blockchain games, Axie Infinity, has managed to find a workaround that enables them to list their game on the App Store without paying the 30% cut.
Axie Infinity’s Listing Loophole
Sky Mavis, developers of the hit blockchain game Axie Infinity, has released its card-based game Axie Infinity: Origins to Apple’s App Store in countries where it is popular, including Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, Venezuela, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
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The game studio found a loophole that will see its game circumvent both the 30% tax and Apple’s rigorous listing process. It released a Lite version of its game, removing NFT trading from the app entirely.
The strategy card game is free-to-play and will allow gamers to join without any upfront cost. Players can start the game with free non-NFT starter Axies, shifting away from the original game, requiring users to buy or rent NFTs.
Additionally, since the new listing operates on the Sky Mavis’ Ethereum-based Ronin sidechain, Axie players can transfer their Axie NFTs to the game, marking it as the first time Apple has agreed to make an externally-purchased NFT usable on the App Store.
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Axie Infinity Co-founder and COO Aleksander Leonard Larsen has shared that they have been working with Apple for over two years, and the current version is still under development. More features will be announced in the future.
Axie Infinity launching its game on the Apple App Store is a significant milestone for both the game and the web3 gaming industry. The excitement from the announcement can be seen in the game’s token, AXS, which has surged in value.
Axie Infinity AXS Token Lifts Off
Following the App Store launch, Axie Infinity’s native cryptocurrency AXS surged by over 12%, rallying from $7 to peaking at $8, becoming one of the top gainers earlier on May 17th. Notably, and for a short while, AXS experienced its best single-day percentage gain since January 2022.
Axie Infinity Celebrates
Axie Infinity is holding a special contest in collaboration with QU3ST to commemorate the new release. Users can participate and earn special rewards by creating social content or writing a review for Origins on the App Store.
On the Flipside
- According to Coinbase, users could no longer send NFTs on the Coinbase iOS app because Apple blocked their last app release until they disabled the feature.
Why You Should Care
Axie Infinity’s App Store launch marks a major achievement for the Web3 industry and NFT sector and could lead to other games and projects following suit and listing their apps on the Apple Store.
Catch up on more Apple developments:
Apple to Launch Its Mixed-Reality Headset This Spring – A Metaverse Entry?
Solana released a Web3 phone:
